County campaign contributions disclosed

Campaign financial disclosure forms were due Oct. 30, revealing who financially contributed to Summit County Council candidates and political parties, and where that money was spent.

Both the Summit County Republican and Democratic Parties spent thousands of dollars supporting individual candidates in state and local races.

The Republican Party raised $12,376, with top contributors Utah Republican Party, Committee to Elect Duane Schmidt and Gordon Strachan.

The Democratic Party raised $6,257.95, with top contributors Glenn Wright, the McAleer Congressional Campaign Committee and Alan Agle.

"We really believe in our county candidates and we believe investing in them is worthwhile," Summit County Republican Chair Henry Glasheen said.

Instead of directly financially supporting each of the Democratic candidates, the Summit County Democratic Party chose to use their funds to run a campaign office and advertise cooperatively.

"I think our efforts to pool resources have been pretty successful," Summit County Democratic Chair Glenn Wright said. "It also fits in with our Democratic governing philosophy: working together to build a better America."

Wright added that they do plan on reimbursing candidates for some of their individual expenses following the election.

The campaign of Republican Max Greenhalgh, bidding for Summit Council Seat A, was funded almost entirely by the county Republican Party and his own contributions.

"I just have a hard time asking people for money," Greenhalgh said. "I did receive a few, but a lot of people said they would send money and I never followed up aggressively. I’m kind of a reluctant candidate anyway so it’s tough to ask people for money."

Greenhalgh added that he’s not reluctant in wanting to hold the County Council seat, but that due to his experience and background, several people initially talked him into running. Now that he’s into the race, he said he wants to win and build on the gains made while he was on the Snyderville Planning Commission.

His opponent, Democrat Roger Armstrong, raised the most campaign money among all the County Council candidates, with $8,850. Arthur Mayo, owner of S3 Entertainment, donated $2,000 to Armstrong’s campaign — the largest contribution by an individual among all the County Council candidates.

"They asked me questions about my positions on various issues," Armstrong said. "I gave my honest answers and they made a decision to endorse me. I didn’t promise anything, and to be honest, they didn’t ask anything. Any decisions along those lines will be based on whatever particular issues there are."

Seat B incumbent Claudia McMullin of the Democratic Party, had a long list of contributors that included past and current leaders of the County Council, Snyderville Basin Recreation District, Snyderville Basin Planning Commission and Mountainlands Community Housing Trust.

"I’m proud and thrilled that the people I work with support me in this election," McMullin said.

Opponent Sue Pollard received the majority of her campaign funds from the county’s Republican Party. She also received contributions from friends and $100 from the Park Place Association, which Pollard described as a development company, adding that the contribution would not affect her decisions concerning development if elected.

"They are all big sponsors of the Republican Party," Pollard said.

Seat C Democratic candidate Kim Carson received the lowest amount of campaign contributions, but secured contributions from several current and former County Council and Park City Council members.

"They have all been very familiar with the work I did on the school board, and know that I have experience and level-headedness," Carson said.

Carson says the $250 contribution made by developer Jim Doilney was made as a personal friend she has known for years and not on behalf of his company, and stated there will not be any conflict of interest if she is elected.

Opponent Jacqueline Smith, who is running unaffiliated as a write-in candidate for Council Seat C, received the majority of her contributions from the Republican Party, as well as some from personal friends, and U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, who she ran against earlier this year in a race for Republican First Congressional District.

"He is fully supporting me in this because he understands who I am and what I stand for," Smith said. "It shows you that even when I ran against him in a different race, he’s supporting me in this race."